Leo, an 8-year old Belgian Malinois with the El Segundo Police Department, went missing Saturday in Ontario after he was possibly frightened by fireworks, authorities said. (Courtesy of El Segundo Police Department)

An El Segundo police dog who escaped from within his handler’s home in Ontario on Saturday afternoon was found safe Sunday, authorities said.

Leo, an 8-year old Belgian Malinois, was found by a resident and taken to an animal shelter, where he was reunited with his handler Sunday afternoon, Lt. Carlos Mendoza of the El Segundo Police Department said.

“He’s already been picked up and is at home resting,” Mendoza said.

Authorities believe Leo may have been frightened by fireworks and jumped over the wall surrounding the property in the area of Vineyard Avenue and Sixth Street, police said in a release on Sunday, June 17.

He was returned to the shelter sometime around 1:30 p.m., Mendoza said.

Sign up for our breaking news email newsletter: When major local news happens, you will be the first to know. Subscribe here.

Nathan covers crime and public safety for the Daily Breeze. Prior to joining the coverage team in the South Bay, Nathan worked for the Orange County Register, where he covered south Orange County cities and community sports. A freelance play-by-play broadcaster, Nathan can be heard calling high school baseball and community college football games during the spring on his days off.